ARM's Segars is safe CEO choice

Peter Clarke, EETimes3/20/2013 1:00 AM EDT

On the issue of CEO succession  as in many things  ARM has acted in stark contrast to rival semiconductor company Intel.

Intel Corp. (Santa Clara, Calif.) announced back in November 2012 that CEO Paul Otellini would be retiring in May 2103, aged 62, and then set off on a headhunting exercise, which seemed to show signs that the company is spooked. It would also seem likely that Intel is going to go outside the company for the first time in its existence.

In contrast processor IP licensor ARM Holdings plc (Cambridge, England) played its cards close to its chest and has been doing its own CEO due diligence in private and concluded that an internal candidate Simon Segars  effectively number two to CEO Warren East for quite a while  is the best person to replace East when he steps down on July 1.